The Southern University System Foundation honored its SU Give Day 2026 advocates and volunteer captains, then took the field at A.W. Mumford Stadium to present the year’s results to the Southern University System.
Homecoming week brought two moments of recognition for the people behind this year’s Are You In? campaign. On Thursday, October 1, the Foundation hosted the 2026 Are You In Advocate Reception at the Valdry Center for Philanthropy. Two days later, those same advocates stood on the field at A.W. Mumford Stadium as the Foundation presented a $21.5 million check to the Southern University System.
An Evening for the Advocates
The reception celebrated the advocates and volunteer captains who carried Are You In? to alumni, friends and classmates across the country. Their work culminated in SU Give Day on August 27, when 1,189 online donors gave $302,680 to Southern, up from 1,027 donors and $295,855 in 2025.
Guests arrived to food, fellowship and live music from the Jermery-Thando J. Brown Band, after a blessing by Malachi Williams of the SUBR Student Philanthropy Council. Alton Bates, Associate Development Director, opened the program. Alfred Harrell, CEO of the Southern University System Foundation, welcomed the room, and Dr. Orlando McMeans, President of the Southern University System, gave opening remarks.
Advocate Angelle Jenkins shared what being part of Are You In? meant to her. Robert Harrison then presented “Are You All In?”, a video and slideshow recognizing the volunteer captains and advocates who led the way in dollars raised, gifts received and donations secured, along with the top new captain and the winners of the SUAF Chapter Challenges.
Joia Anthony, President of the SUBR Student Philanthropy Council, closed the program by thanking the advocates and recognizing campus leadership: Chancellor John K. Pierre of Southern University and A&M College, Chancellor Alvin Washington of the Southern University Law Center, Chancellor Joseph Bouie of Southern University at New Orleans, Chancellor Aubra J. Gnatt of Southern University at Shreveport, and Chancellor Orlando McMeans of the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Each advocate left with an Are You In Advocate hat, and the evening continued with music and networking.
The Challenge Winners
Three groups took top honors in this year’s competitions, which are ranked by the number of gifts each group inspired.
Columbia Blue Tier Chapter Winner: Dallas. The Dallas chapter led the 21 larger chapters of the Southern University Alumni Federation.
Gold Tier Chapter Winner: Bayou Tri-Parish. Representing Iberville, Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge parishes, Bayou Tri-Parish finished first among the 38 smaller chapters.
Greek Organization Winner: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The sisters of Delta Sigma Theta led the eight National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations in the Greek Organization Challenge.
$21.5 Million on the Field
On Saturday, October 3, Southern welcomed the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for Homecoming. At halftime, advocates, volunteer captains, challenge winners and Foundation leadership gathered on the field, many in their new advocate hats, as the Foundation presented a check for $21,500,000 to the Southern University System campuses.
The figure represents what the Foundation raised on behalf of the System over the past fiscal year, in support of scholarships, faculty research and programs across all five campuses. Every gift to every Southern fund is part of that number, from the first-time Give Day donor to the longtime supporter.
Thank You for Being In
Over the past ten years, Are You In? has raised more than $125 million for the Southern University System. That record belongs to the advocates who make the ask, the captains who organize their networks, and every donor who answers. To everyone who said yes this year: thank you for being in.